A DECADES LONG
FAMILY TRADITION .
"This isn’t just a travel company. It’s a continuation of a family tradition, one that believes the world is best experienced inquisitively, curiously, and with gratitude. True understanding of a culture comes from grasping its deep religious and culinary undertones, by finding treasure in the mundane, absorbing local wisdom from the people we meet, and courageously trying the local cuisine wherever our journey takes us."
WHY RELIQ?
Only by diving into the wild, spiritual, and downright mystical underbelly of these ancient cities do you finally unlock what truly fuels their jaw-dropping art, mouthwatering food, epic architecture, and time-honored traditions.
That’s exactly why Reliq Travel was born. After years of leading guests around, we kept getting pulled toward the sacred, the strange, and the holy, like magnets with a divine sense of humor.
Most people never realize it, but behind every grand cathedral, buzzing city square, and quirky neighborhood, relics have been the ultimate glue holding it all together.
St. Peter’s Basilica? Built straight on top of (supposedly) St. Peter’s bones. The jaw-dropping cathedral in Orvieto? Constructed around a blood-stained cloth from a 1263 Eucharistic miracle. And when Notre-Dame was burning, a brave priest sprinted through the flames to save its most priceless treasure: the Crown of Thorns.
For centuries, pilgrims risked their lives, their fortunes, and their feet just to catch a glimpse of one single holy item.
We’re obsessed with the mystical, the mysterious, and the delightfully bizarre and we can’t wait to share these hidden, mind-blowing stories with you.
Meet Our Founders
Melanie and Casey McFarland founded their tour company in 2018 and have since led many groups to Italy, Greece, and Guatemala.
Casey has lived a total of 3 years in Southern Italy and Sicily and remains fluent in Italian. More importantly, he has spent years deeply exploring the religious, cultural, culinary, and historical roots of the regions they visit.
In addition to partnering with exceptional local guides and chefs, Melanie maintains a private wellness practice. She trained at the Institute of Healing Arts in 2008–2009. Casey attended the Living School under the guidance of Father Richard Rohr at the Center for Action and Contemplation.
After visiting nearly 40 countries and guiding countless groups, they discovered a profound personal connection to the spiritual and mystical traditions of these places. They are passionate about traveling with small groups and forming lifelong friendships.